Daily Doings Of A Dog Named Dakota, Let The Barking Begin!

Hi everyone! Some people get upset with Mom when they learn that I was not a Shelter dog. It’s not my fault that I wasn’t, it also wasn’t Mom’s fault that she loved me in spite of my not being a Shelter dog.

That being said, it doesn’t mean that Mom and I don’t care about Shelter dogs. We do. That is why Mom and I have featured events sponsored by Shelters so often lately. We want to help spread the word.

Mom always says if she ever wins the lottery she is going to open her own haven where doggies and kitties can be safe and secure and have tons of love. All animals deserve that, don’t they?

My kitty brother, Cody, is a rescue pet and we know what special additions to the family that they are. We wouldn’t trade him for the world!

So anyway, let me tell you about Shelter Me:

(c) 2012 Steven Latham Productions, LLC

Ellen DeGeneres’ pet food company, Halo, Purely for Pets® is the sponsor of “Shelter Me,” a new PBS film that illustrates how people’s lives are positively impacted by shelter dogs.

The project’s creator, acclaimed filmmaker Steven Latham, wants to engage the public in finding solutions to put a stop to the nearly four million dogs and cats euthanized every year in the United States.

Actress and animal advocate Katherine Heigl is hosting the PBS premiere of the one-hour, emotionally charged television special.

“As a huge animal lover, I was immediately drawn to this project because it advocates for the homeless pets at our local shelters,” said Heigl, co-founder of the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. “It’s important to generate awareness and overcome stigmas about these local facilities as well as promote these amazing animals and how they improve people’s lives.”

“Katherine Heigl and Ellen DeGeneres have been so dedicated to helping shelter pets and I am grateful that they are part of ‘Shelter Me,’” said Latham. “We need to continue to raise awareness and increase shelter adoptions. I want people to realize that shelter pets are the best pets.”

Halo’s involvement includes a 30-second sponsor message at the beginning and end of the show, narrated by animal lover, vegan and actress Alexandra Paul, depicting Halo’s commitment to providing shelter pets with nutritious, all natural food, through a variety of the company’s philanthropic efforts. Mimi Ausland from Freekibble.com appears in the segment, delivering Halo Spot’s Stew to the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO). In a recent survey, Halo learned from HSCO and 60 other shelters that shelter workers believe quality food makes a difference in adoption rates.

Latham’s production company approached Halo to be the sponsor because both the pet food company and co-owner Ellen DeGeneres are passionately dedicated to helping shelter pets. In 2010, Halo donated one million meals to shelter pets in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Servicer Adopt a Shelter program. Halo is also the official kibble sponsor of Freekibble.com, a pet related trivia site that has donated more seven million meals to shelter pets.

“It’s important to raise public awareness and increase shelter adoptions by showing first-hand how these incredible animals positively impact people’s lives,” said Steve Marton, CEO of Halo. “Our involvement in ‘Shelter Me’ is a reflection of Halo’s commitment to support animal shelters across America.”

“Halo’s participation in this film is fundamental,” said Latham. “I wanted to partner with an organization that is committed to making a difference for shelter pets. The work Halo does is incredible, authentic and completely in the spirit of this project.”

Latham has three of his own rescue dogs and often cares for foster dogs. An active shelter volunteer and advocate for homeless pets, Latham believes the key to increasing the number of pets adopted from shelters is awareness. “Most people don’t understand that there are exceptional dogs and cats sitting in shelters, just waiting for homes,” he said. “Shelter Me” is Latham’s way of educating the public and debunking misperceptions that shelter pets are “damaged” in some way. “This is one of the most important projects I’ve done,” he said.

“Shelter Me” premieres on public television stations in May. Please go to www.ShelterMe.com for local listings.

“Shelter Me” is produced and directed by Steven Latham of Steven Latham Productions; executive produced by Steven Latham, Lyndon Johnson and Ady Gil; co-produced by Shane Lachtman, Marion Zola and Timothy Karsten; edited by Conrad Stanley, Cheryl Campsmith and Jeff U’Ren; cinematography by Peter Krajewski; music by Andrew Gross and Gil Talmi.

ABOUT HALO, PURELY FOR PETS®

For over 25 years, Halo, Purely for Pets® has created holistic pet products of uncompromising quality. Halo believes nutrition is the single most important factor in the quality of a pet’s life. Halo offers natural pet food, treats, supplements and grooming products – including the award-winning Halo Spot’s Stew, Dream Coat and Liv-a-Littles treats. Ellen DeGeneres – a long time Halo customer – became a part-owner of Halo in 2008. In 2010, Halo donated one million meals to shelter pets in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service Adopt a Shelter Pet program. Halo is also the official kibble sponsor of Freekibble.com, a pet related trivia site that has donated mort than seven million meals to shelter pets. Halo’s natural dog food, natural cat food, treats, supplements and grooming products are available at PETCO, Whole Foods Market, your local pet specialty and natural food store, and online at http://www.halopets.com.

ABOUT THE JASON DEBUS HEIGL FOUNDATION

Katherine Heigl and her mother, Nancy Heigl, founded the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation (www.jasonheiglfoundation.org) to improve the plight of pets through a variety of programs, such as funding spay/neuter initiatives and assisting rescue organizations. Katherine and Nancy are convinced that spaying and neutering saves lives and stops litters – litters that too often end up at public shelters and are subsequently killed due to a lack of adopters and lack of space. The Foundation is focused on “fixing” the problem. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed more than $2.5 million towards saving the lives of many deserving pets and educating the public in the process.

Mom is getting TIRED of those that critize the way we find our forever friends. Recently a close friend was refused the right to adopt a different breed from a shelter for a reason she would likely be refused for too, even though we have succesfully rescued from another agency twice. (It wasn’t a fence issue) The current dog they have is from a breeder and if they do not get cooperation from the next shelter they go to they will likely go to another breeder to get their next forever pet.

There are legitimate reasons to reject people, but we all know some situations go to far. Mom recently read of a Illinios based Sheltie rescue telling prospective adopters they should move if they cannot fence their property. If the prospective adopter really felt their dogs were a priority they would move. Really? I love my two dogs, but do these people have any clue how bad the housing market is in many areas? I couldn’t sell my house to rescue myself, let alone a dog right now. Thankfully, it isn’t an issue for us, but when I read this suggestion, it was a sign that some rescues are out of touch with reality. If people can’t get out from under a home with financial hardships facing them, the shelters expect that they can magically sell the home to become a prospective adopter?

We have been VERY blessed that our regional Sheltie rescue has been more than reasonable in their requests and we have two beautiful family members as a result. I do believe that some of the rules make sense and not everyone can care for a dog. However, when I see qualified homes passed by it bothers me and it does lead to the homeless situations animals face.

I know there are many factors that go into making a good match with dog and owner and rescues have to put the dog first. However, I do wonder how many dogs are losing out when the rules push good fits out of the running over petty details.

We were turned away too once (not from a shelter though, a breeder) because we don’t have our own backyard. We have a community courtyard. My heart was broken when that happened but thankfully we did get Dakota.

If there had been a Rescue in Michigan we would have adopted for sure. At that time I had never even heard of Pet Transport, etc…we didn’t want to drive out of state.

ummm, not sure why anyone would question finding a loving animal family member at a reputable breeder??? My Mom and Dad had 3 Sibes, all OTRB way before me…and they showed all 3 in conformation and obediance, then when they quit, they had all spayed, neutered.They had one litter, the results did not help improve the breed, so they never bred again. 2 came from a very well known Canadian kennel and one from a home breeder, not a back yard puppy farm. There are very important reasons to buy from breeders…temperament is above all, then making sure you get breed specific characteristics such as non shedding and hypo allergenic type dogs…and then there is size, degree of activity etc. I can go on and on.

As far as this anifamily is concerned, you have nothing to defend in having purchased a wonderful lovimg anifamily member from a reputable breeder…we are in your dog house…so to speak…BOL MOL

thanks so much Savannah. I do feel bad though because this post is actually about the importance of adopting Shelter Animals. I just mentioned it at the beginning because Dakota was not gotten at a Shelter and I wanted to say something before someone threw it in my face 🙂

Dear Dakota,
Me must say peoples is strange about animals. What is important is that our peoples loves and respects us and other animals (wild or domestic) no matter where we comes from.

BTW me is a purebred and Kozmo (who is a cat) is from shelters, Bob came from a breeder whose sheltie ‘escaped’ at that time and Cinnamon is a purebred from a friend who bred his girl dog to help get the bloodlines diverse.
Shelters helps those with specific needs and me thinks Shelter Me is a great cause! Thanks yous for telling us abouts it Dakota!
Kisses and me cant wait to see Shelter Me!
Nellie

[…] Marion Zola is also the author of All the Good Ones Are Married. Recently, Marion co-produced Shelter Me a PBS show about the rewards of adopting shelter pets that has also appeared on this blog. Visit […]